Pivot for scale levers



Feb. 17, 1925. y 1,527,025

A v H.F. BRUGIMANN PIVOT FOR SCALE LEVERS Filed Sept. 5, 1921IS'Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 17, 1925.

.uni-Tan ESTATES AILENT OFFICE.

ganso nlnueivrnivn, oreoirnnlvn, VER-MONT, Assrsnon To .HoWEseALnCOMPANY, onnUTLAivn, vnnMoNT, Aconronnfrron 0F VERMONT.

`PIVOT FOB SCALE LEVERS.

V'Application filed September ra citizen of `theUnited States, residingin- `Rutland, county of Rutland, and State of liermona have inventedcertain new `and useful Improvements fin Pivots Vfor Scale Levers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

ln the construction of Ascale levers, particularly'such as are employedin the manutactui'eot railroadtrack scales and scalesifor other heavywork, `considerable ditculty is encountered in accurately Ilocating thepivots which must abe inexact location upon the scale lever and parallelwith and at proper Vdistances ztrom other pivots carried bythescalelever. The working edge oi a pivot mustzbe ina horizontal positionand exactly parallel and on a common level with. every other pivot 4inthe same member.

The lobject ,of the prese-nt invention is to' provide improved scalelever pivots which can be adj ustably mounted in machined holes in thescale levers so :that the pivots will :be interchangeable andstandardized, and more readily and accurately applied and removable forrepair or renewal.

The master locations of the scale lever, pivots are obtainedby boringholes in the scale. levers at properly spaced points determined by meansof the micrometer screw adjustments on the tables of the boring machine.A tpivot holder is channeled to receive a hardened, iinished pivot barand then accurately/.turned into cylindrical form to iitthe bored holesot the scale lever. `In shaping the cylindrical surface of the pivotholder, the unfinished holder block ismounted to turn upon 4an axisparallel ivith the working edgey ot the `finished pivot, which isconveniently accomplished by` mounting it upon the finished pivot orupon a master pivot or mandrel ot the same shape as `the linish-ed pivotand then turning the assembled pivot and holder upon centers in thepivot anis parallelwith the working -edge.`

The pivot holder is made ex ansible and wedging means are provided retween the holder 'and ypivot -bar so that, when the holderand pivot.are mounted and properly adjusted in themachinedhole of the'` scalelever, the holder can be expanded into bind- 3, 1921. 4Serial No.498,320.

ing engagement withfthe scale lever by the action ofthe wedging means.The .Wedgingmeans comprise preferably cooperating races uponthe pivotbar and holder, which .are tapered or inclined to the working edge orlongitudinal 'axis vot' the pivot proper, ywhereby the holder isexpanded by forcing ythe pivot longitudinally into it.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will irst describethe same "-withireference to the accompanying-drawi'njgs and Vafterwardpoint out the novel vfeatures in the annexed claims. In said drawings z-Figure l is an inside elevation-lof one. part ot a sectional pivotholder.

.Figure '2 is an end View of the same.

Figure 3 is a. side elevation of thefiinished pivot bar.

.Figure l is-an end view of the same.

:Figure'i is a sectional, plan View of a portion of a scale lever havingthe improved removable pivot mounted therein.

1F igurei' is a side elevation of the same showing the pivot in endelevation.

Figure 7 is a vertical, transverse section `out 'the same'taken on theline/1&7 of Fig# ure. y

Figure 8 is a view ot the combinedpivot and holder showing in .sectionthe holder in theiform of Figure 9.

Figures 9, 10, and 1l are, respectively, end views of different forms ofthe improved pivot and holder.

Figures l2 and 13 are detail perspective views of parts of diiferentforms of scale leve-rs, illustrating themounting of the improved pivotin a double-web affording support at opposite ends and exposing thepivot between its ends.

Figure lll is a side elevation ot the form of pivot and holder shown inFigures l2 andlS.

i Figure l5 is an end view of the same.

Figure 16 is a side elevation of a slightly dil'lerent shape of pivotand holder for use., `with the double webbed scale lever. I

`.Figure 1T is an end view of the sai-ne..A

ln `VFigures 5, 5, and 7. l have shown a secs, tion or portion of awel-likiiown type of straight lever for a railroad track scale.y Thelever is indicated at l and his formed as usual with a .main bodyportion having roo,

be located.

strengthening ribs or flanges above and below as shown at 1a and 11J andprovided at approximately the proper locations for the pivot bearingswith integral castvhubs or bosses 2 extending upon opposite faces of themain web body ofthe scale level'.

In the proper boring machine, with the positions located as accuratelyas possible, suitable holes or sockets are bored transversely throughthe reinforced hubs or bosses of the levers where the pivots are to Thecylindrical holes referred to are indicated in Figures 6, and T bynumeral 5. `When these holes, as shown at 5, are drilled, the properparts of the strengthening bosses 2 are cut away to expose the pivotswhere desired. In the form of lever shown in the figures referred to,these bosses 2 are cut away as shown at 3, because, in this form ofscale lever, the working edge of the pivot is exposed on opposite sidesof thel scale lever, and presented upwardly.

A, finished, hardened pivot bar 10, such as shown in Figures 3 and 4, isformed with a knife edge bearing 10u of the desired included angle. Inmachining` this pivot bar lO,the bar is supported upon centers in itslongitudinal axis and the facesl()b are cut parallel with thislongitudinal axis with the result Vthat the knife edge will also beparallel to the axis of the bar. The bottom of the bar 10 is then formedb v cutting the faces 10C upon a. taper or inclination to the axis ofthebar. The result of this operation is the production of a pivot bar thatis of smaller cross sectional area at one. end than at the other andwith an even taper from the large end to the small end while. at thesame time. the knife edge bearing is truly parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the bar.

To adjustably and removably mount the improved pivot bar in the machinedhole of the scale lever, I form an expansible pivot holder which may bevariously constructed as hereinafter explained. but which is preferablymade in sections channeled to receive the pivot bar and externallyshaped to accurately fit the machined opening in the scale lever.

'The preferred form of the expansible pivot holder as illustrated inFigures 1, Q. 5. 6 and T of the drawings, comprises two complementaryhalves or sections 15. having faces 17 in the plane of separation of thesections and the faces 18 and 19, the former of which is in a planeparallel with the longitudinal axis of the holder while the latter is atan angle or upon a taper to said axis. The angular relation of the faces13 and 19 is. of course, determined by the an gular relation of thefaces 10b and 1,0c of the pivot bar above referred to.

Two holder sections. made in exact dup1ieates, are fitted over the pivotbar 10, or a master pivot or mandrel of the same shape, and clamped inposition thereon and placed in a lathe upon the centers in the longitiedin-al axis of the pivot bar parallel with the working bearing edge 10a.Supported in this manner, the exterior surface of thesectional holderblock is turned down to a cylindrical form to accurately lit thecylindrical hole 5 machined in the scale lever as hereinbeforedescribed.

When the sectional holder has been shaped to tit the hole in the scalelever, it has portions cut away, as indicated at 20 corresponding withthe cut-away portions of the reinforcing bosses 2 of the scale lever sothat, when the assembled pivot bar and holder are driven in place in thehole of the scale lever, the working knife edge of the pivot bar will beexposed where desired.

llien the improved `pivot is mounted in the prepared hole of a scalelever, its position is accurately adjusted by rotating the pivot andholder in the hole or socket ofthe lever. In making this adjustment, theholder can be slightly wedged into binding` position so that the holderand pivot bar' will not``- turn too readily. The shape of theprojectineend of the pivot bar affords means for convenient engagementfor the proper tool b v which the final adjustment can be made. lllhenthe knife edge bearing of the pivot is inthe desired location withreference to the other pivots of the system of scale levers. thepivotbar is driven up tight in its holder to expand the holder into.firm binding ell-- gagenient with the socket of the scale lever.

It will be understood that, in asseu'iblinea pivot bar in itsexpansilileiholder the surfaces IO" of the pivot come in contact withthe surfaces 18 of the sectional holder while the surfaces 10c of thepivot are in contact with the surfaces 19 of the holder. This insuresthe presentation of the knife edge bearing 10EL of the pivot in properhorizontal position. The tapered surfaces of the pivot and holder causethe holder to expand when the pivot is driven longitudinally in thechannel of the holder and in expand ing the holder' into this fixedposition. the accurate horizontal position of the knife edge bearingwill, be n'laintained.

Figure 10 of the drawings, I have shown a slight modification in whichthe pivot holder 3() .is formed of a single piece of metal with apivot-receiving channel having angular side walls 31 parallel with thelongi tudinal axis of the pivot holder and `a side wall 32, which istapered or inclined to said axis. The holder 30 is cut longitudinally at33 to form expansible spring jaws of its two sides. channel of theholder 30, the knife edge bearing 35a of this bar being presented. inthe vertical plane of the cut 33 and exposed at opposite ends by thecnt-away portions of 35 is a pivot bar shaped to tit the It has beenfound that when the improved pivot is driven up to a practical degree oftightness in the scale lever, the knife edge of the pivot is held infixed relation to the lever, but that it is possible, by driving up thepivot a bit tighter, to slightly raise the knife edge in the pivotholder. It has been found by experiment with the preferred form of pivotas illustrated in Figures 5, 6, and 7 of the drawings that from thepoint of beginning to drive in the pivot in the holder to the pointWhere the pivot Was considered as driven home, the knife edge of thepivot was actually raised .009. This slight change in elevation of theknife edge between extremes in the driven-in condition of the pivotpermits some latitude of practical importance in determining the finaladjustment of the pivot in the scale lever. It will, of course, beunderstood that, in designing a scale lever, the position of the holesin the lever should be arranged With regard to the stated variations soVthat the knife edges can be placed Within practical limits of Where theyare Wanted.

I claim l. A machined-in pivot for scale levers comprising an expansiblepivot holder adapted to be seated in a socket of a scale lever, and apivot bar seated in said holder andformed with faces which arerespectively parallel With and inclined to the longitudinal axis of thepivot bar, whereby the pivot bar forces the holder into bindingengagement With the socket of the scale lever and maintains its Workingedge in lixed relation to the scale lever.

2. A removable pivot for scale levers comprising an expansible socketedholder adapted to fit a hole in a scale lever, and a pivot bar fittingthe socket of said holder, said holder and pivot bar being formed withcorresponding engaging surfaces parallel with the longitudinal axis ofthe pivot bar and other engaging surfaces which are inclined to saidaxis.

3. The combination with an expansible pivot holder formed with areceiving socket, one face of which is parallel with the longitudinalaxis of the holder While another face is tapered or inclined to saidaxis, of a knife edge pivot bar having a surface parallel With itslongitudinal axis and another surface inclined to its said axis.

4. The combination with an expansible socket-ed pivot holder formed incomplementary sections, a knife edge pivot bar fitting the socket ofsaid sectional holder, corresponding engaging faces of the holder andpivot bar being inclined to the axis of the bar to cause the holder toexpand when the bar is forced therein.

5. The combination with a scale lever having a substantially cylindricalmachined pivot-receiving socket, of kan expansible socketed pivot holdershaped to fit and be adjusted in the socket of said scale lever, and alongitudinally tapered pivot bar seated in said holder.

6. The combination with .a scale lever having a machined pivot-receivingsocket, of an expansible pivot holder adapted to` be seated in thesocket of said scale lever, and a pivot bar seated in said holder andformed ivith faces which are respectively parallel with and inclined tothe longitudinal axis of the pivot bar, whereby the holder is expandedinto binding engagement with the socket of the scale lever and theWorking edge of the pivot bar is maintained in the desired angularrelation to said lever.

7. The combination With a scalelever having a machined pivot-receivingsocket, of an adjustable expansible pivot holder formed ivith alongitudinally tapered socket, y

and a longitudinally tapered knife edge pivot bar fitting the socket ofsaid holder.

8. The combination 4with a scale lever having a cylindricalpivot-receiving socket of an expansible pivot holder shaped to lit andbe adjusted in said lever socket and formed with a longitudinallytapered socket, and a knife edge pivot bar tapered longitudinally to fitthe socket of said holder.

9. The combination with a scale lever having a reinforced section formedwith a machined pivot-receiving socket, of an expansible socketed holderadjustably mounted in the socket of said scale lever, and alongitudinally tapered pivotbar fitting the socket of said holder.

10. A removable pivot for scale levers comprising an expansible socketedholder adapted to fit a hole in a scale lever, and a knife-edge pivotbar fitting the socket of said holder, said holder and pivot bar being`formed with corresponding engaging surfaces inclined to the longitudinalaxis of the pivot bar and the holder being cut away to expose theWorking knife edge Where desired.

ll. The combination with a reinforced scale lever forniedviith apivot-receiving socket in its reinforced part and having said reinforcedpart cut away suiiiciently to expose the Working pivot, of an cxpansiblesocketed holder mounted in the socket of said scale lever and out awayto expose the Working pivot, and a pivot barivedged in the socket ofsaid holder.

1Q. The combination with a scale lever` formed with a pivot-receivingsocket, an expansible socketed pivot-holder rotatably adjustable in saidlever-socket, a pivot bar mounted in the socket of said holder andprojecting beyond the holder at one end, said holder and pivot barhaving engaging surfaces which permit relative longitudinal movement andlock circumferentially, whereby the pivot and holder can be rotated lflUtogether in the lever socket to adjust the pivot bar by engaging theprojecting` end of said bar.

13. The combination with a scale lever formed with a pivot-receivingsocket, an er;- pansible socketed pivot-holder rotatably adjustable insaid lever-socket, and a pivot bar wedged longitudinally in the socketof said holder, the engaging surfaces of said holder and pivot barpermitting a limited relative movement longitudinally and lockingcircumferentially.

14. In a device of the character described, the combination of a memberhaving a socket, a pivot holder rotatably adjustable in said socket, anda pivot bar wedged longitudinally in said holder, and wedging meanssecuring both the holder and pivot bar in position.

l5. ln a device of the character described, the combination of a memberhaving a socket, an expansible pivot holder rotatably adjustable in saidsocket, a pivot bar longitudinally wedged in said holder, and lock ingthe holder and bar in position.

16. In a device of the character described, the combination of a shapedpivot bar having longitudinal wedge surfaces, with a pivot holder havinga longitudinally tapered channel to receive said pivot bar, and formedwith an outer cylindrical surface parallel with the working bearing ofsaid pivot bar.

17. In a device of the character described, the combination of a memberhaving a socket, a longitudinally tapered pivot bar having a workingbearing, with a holder rotatably adjustable in said socket, said holderbeing channeled to receive said tapered pivot bar, and formed with anouter cylindrical surface parallel with the working bearing of saidpivot bar.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination of a knifeedge pivot bar having its knife edge parallel to its longitudinal axisand its cross-sectional area smaller at one end than at the other, witha holder block formed with a receiving` channel to accurately fit saidpivot bar, and an outer cylindrical surface parallel with the knife edgeof said pivot bar.

19. In a device of the character described, the combination of a taperedpivot bar formed with a knife edge parallel with its longitudinal axis,with a sectional pivot holder, each section of which is formed with anangular channel in its inner face, one wall of each of said channelsbeing parallel with the axis ot' the holder section while the other wallof each channel is longitudinally inclined to said axis, said sectionalpivot holder being` formed with an external cylindrical surface, whichis parallel to the knife edge of said pivot bar.

HUGO F. BRUGMANN.

